Elizabeth (Lizzy) Matthews

I graduated from West Virginia University in 2021, with dual degrees in Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering and a minor in German Language. Since graduating, I have worked as a Research Engineer at Arctura, Inc in Rhode Island. At Arctura, I have worked on various grant funded projects, including a lightning protection coating for wind turbines, active lift control for wind turbines, and a green nitric acid production method.

Experience

Research Engineer - Arctura Inc

2021-Present

Collaborates on research funded by DOE SBIR, NSF STTR, and DOE ARPA-E grants.

  • Lightning Protection Coating for Wind Turbines: Supported validation tests in a high voltage test facility. Helped plan out pilot studies on wind farms. Helped set up lightning triggered cameras to capture strikes hitting coated turbines.
  • Active Lift Control for Wind Turbine Blades: Developed and tested methods for active lift control using plasma actuators. Tested small scale actuators in an in office lab using high voltage systems and monitoring devices. Built a small scale wind tunnel to visualize actuators with flow.
  • Decarbonizing Nitric Acid: Researches and develops ways to produce NOx using plasma in a lab environment. Works with a spectrometer and NOx analyzer to measure efficiency of the process. Works on report writing and proposal work.

Education

West Virginia University

Graduated in 2021 with a B.S. in Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering and a minor in German.

2024 GRFP Submission

Recieved Honorable Mention in my GRFP submission in 2024.

View my submission

Skills

  • Languages: Python, MATLAB
  • Software: SolidWorks, Fusion 360, ANSYS Fluent, XFLR5, Microsoft Office Suite
  • Other: Plasma Physics, High Voltage Systems, Wind Turbine Technology, Data Analysis and Acquisition, Troubleshooting